Wednesday 30 April 2014

For many years now, I have been collecting mug from places I have visited. I bought the first one (well, I didn't buy it, I didn't have much money when I was 6 years old) during my first trip to Disneyland Paris. I said "my first trip" to Disneyland Paris because I came back when my brother was old enough 6 years later. A trip to Disneyland Paris is the dream of any kid!

Since then, everywhere I go, I buy a mug. I have mugs from UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Spain, Portugal, France, Netherlands... and many other places. Later, friends and family started contributing to my mug collection bringing mugs from such exotic places such as Australia, Reunion, Japan and Vietnam. So far, my collection has already 58 mugs... and many more to go.

Yesterday, on my birthday, my flatmate give me the most amazing mug. the most unexpected mug. It inevitably became the first merchindise item of my blog. The mug has a black-and-white picture of the Suspension Bridge with a Banksy's most famous stencil hiding in the River Avon. I hope you like it as much as I do!


Posted by Great little place called Bristol On Wednesday, April 30, 2014 No comments READ FULL POST

Monday 28 April 2014

European Parliament elections coming in May, the only thing I could hear here in the UK is "Europe yes!" or "Europe no!". There is an internal battle whether belonging to Europe brings any benefit to the British or not. I am not originally from the UK, I am living in Bristol just for my studies so I would bite off more more than I can chew if I give my opinion in this matter. At the end of the day, this debate is none of my business.

However, I am very into politics and I have been in the debate that took place in the Great Hall in Wills Memorial Building this evening. The European Parliament election is scheduled to take place on 22nd May 2014 and University of Bristol managed to sit around the same table the first candidates from each of the five most voted parties in 2009 in the South West: Conservatives, Green, Labour, Liberal and UKIP parties.

Doors were open at 5.40pm and at sharp 6pm, the 2-hour long debate started. The debate was chaired by Professor Malcolm Evans and the table was composed by Ashley Fox (Conservatives), William Dartmouth (UKIP), Sir Graham Watson (Liberals), Claire Moody (Labour) and Molly Cato (Green).

The three main topics discussed at the debate were chosen by around 500 voters who took part in a two-week consultation within the University of Bristol: 

1. Free movement of people
2. Role of the UK in the EU and the division of competences
3. Economic affairs in the EU and austerity

We were allowed to ask questions on these three topics (not only people present at the debate but also via Twitter with the hashtag #EPH14) although nobody really asked anything related to the three main topics. It had been a very funny and entertaining debate where the audience engaged, applaused, laughed and surprised with some of the comments candidates made. 

For those who haven't made up their mind yet on who to vote, specially students, this has been a very good opportunity to listen to the main candidates and decide who convinces you the most. At least me, if I had to vote in Britain for the European Parliament Elections, I already know who I wouldn't vote for: neither for the one who said that they won't care whether young people don't vote, or who said that you can also study abroad with no need of Erasmus grands. Guys, really? You are on an event organised by a university!!

Posted by Great little place called Bristol On Monday, April 28, 2014 No comments READ FULL POST

Thursday 24 April 2014

I came back from my Easter break down in Cornwall fully recovered and looking forward to posting new (and hopefully interesting) stuff in my blog.


I have friends visiting this weekend. It is my birthday next weeks so we will celebrate it properly during the weekend. It won't be the first time in Bristol for any of my friends and therefore, I have to come up with different options to do in the city rather than "touristic stuff".

Some days ago I read about the Bristol Walking Festival and thought, "Hey, that'd be fun!". If weather permits, I think I am gonna make my friends to do some walking. 

The Bristol Walking Festival, which is a month-long festival, is the largest urban walking festival in the UK. Over 150 guided walks will take place offering a good opportunity to learn about local history of the city voted European Green Capital for 2015. 
The official launch of the festival will be next Saturday, 26th April 2014, at 11am at City Hall and College Green. In this event, everybody will be able to find out what's happening during the festival, meet the walk leaders and sign up to take part in any activity that might be interested. There will be walks to take part in on the day, all starting from the City Hall and activities and stalls College Green.
Main walks start on Sunday  though, including walks around the Medieval Bristol and the Suspension Bridge, continuing with many walks everyday until 26th May. For more information, have a look at the programme here.

They will also be running a photography competition to capture Bristol's beauty. It is open to all amateur photographers who want their photograph to be exhibited publically. The main prize will be a Swim&Dine for two at the Lido. Further information about the competition here

USEFUL LINKS
Bristol Walking Festival: www.bristolwalkingfestival.co.uk



Posted by Great little place called Bristol On Thursday, April 24, 2014 No comments READ FULL POST

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Are you staying in Bristol this year and still haven't plan your break? We have some ideas for you! Apparently, weather will be nice, warm and sunny at least this week so... enjoy it!

FRIDAY, 18th April

Starting on Friday until 26th April, Lady Boys of Bankok is back in Castle Park (read here last year's post) in their brand new circus-style show called "Red Hot Kisses". All tickets are 15 pounds the first Easter Bank Holiday (rest of days, from 19.50 pounds) and there are two sessions; 7pm and 9pm. Check website

Enjoy the night alfresco at The Big Chill Bar. Basically, they claim they have the finest disco, funk and boogie DJs around Bristol at the main room, and the best house and techno realms in their Alfresco Disco. Entry is free! Check website

SATURDAY, 19th April

The Illusions magic bar will host the Mad Hatters Magical Tea Party this Saturday. The entrance is free and you will be able to enjoy live music with Billy Driscroll and live magic tricks while drinking Long Island Iced Tea pitchers. And why not, join the staff and dress in Alice in Wonderland costumes! You can book a table if you are a bunch of you going to the tea party. Doors open at 7pm. If you miss it, the tea party will be repeated again on Sunday. Visit website

SUNDAY, 20th April

What about an afternoon tea trip to Beeses Tea Gardens? It is a trip that has been running since 1975! A Bristol Packet boat will take you at 2.05pm at the harbourside, bring you to Beeses Tea Garden for an afternoon tea for a couple of hours and return you to the harbourside at 5.50pm. Boat tickets cost 11 pounds (from the Watershed) and if you miss this trip, it runs again on Monday. Check website

For a more suitable plan for movie fans: The Film Club. Three movies will be showing from 3pm on in a big screen in The Golden Lion: Life Aquatic, Rushmore and Darjeeling Limited. Check Facebook page

MONDAY, 21st April

St George's Day Beer Festival will start on Monday at The Victoria (BS8 2BH) in Clifton to celebrate Patron Saint's day with around twenty ales and ciders from across England.  Check website

Derren Brown, the multi-award winning phycological illusion , will be back at the Hippodrome. Derren's show will manipulate your mind with his live performance. His friend actor Andy Nyman will be collaborating for the show. Tickets vary between 39.90-48.90 pounds (buy tickets here)
Posted by Great little place called Bristol On Wednesday, April 16, 2014 No comments READ FULL POST

Monday 14 April 2014

For many reasons, most agree that Bristol is a cool city, probably an awesome one. Why is it so awesome for you? Below, there is very unique description of Bristol's awesomeness written by a friend of mine, who has created a website to acknowledge awesome people and things happening in the world (check website). Have fun!


Why is Bristol awesome? That’s not the question you need to be asking. The question you need to be asking is “Why don’t you think Bristol is awesome?” What part of your life have you failed at, not to realise the sheer, incredible, brain boiling amazingness of this city? Well, for those of you who have a geographic deficit where Bristol is concerned, I’m here to fill that cold, dark horrible void that you didn’t know it existed until after you read this article.

Bristol has a place for everyone. If you enjoy getting as baked as a cake with herbal remedies, Stokes Croft will accommodate your hippy and hipster need with aplomb. A shabby looking street that gets incredibly busy on a weekend night with those looking for an alternative night out. If you have the brain cells of a single cell organism and enjoy drinking yourself into a stupor, the night life in Bristol is supposedly very good. It even comes with a host of dodgy kebab shops with non-English speaking staff to accommodate you once you've spent your hard earned cash getting chalk boarded with your liquid drugs.

Perhaps you’re a hard up national front, BNP, EDL fanboy,… There’s a place for you too (other than hell). Well, not the hell that waits for you after you die. But, Hartcliffe and Southmead aren’t far off.

Ethnic minorities need not worry; there are a large number of various cultures floating around, from Somali and Arab communities to the Burgeoning Polish contingent. The Polski Sklep’s never had it so good.

Looking for a bit of culture? Have no fear, just rock up to the Wallace and Gromit headquarters and maybe Gromit will show you round the slave trade routes and FLOATING MUSEUMS! That’s right, every other city has some pathetic Museum to look around in, but not many have the previously sunk SS Great Britain docked in a harbour.

EVEN Jamie Oliver has opened a restaurant here, and everyone knows that Jamie only opens restaurants in cities that achieve the Institute of Super Awesome People  (IOSAP) recognition of awesomeness.

Also, in case you are culturally abandoned or pathetically uneducated, the renowned street artist Banksy is from Bristol. Banksy himself is awesome in his own right considering his continued hidden identity and consistent political expression, but his Bristolian Roots just go to show that awesomeness is intrinsic in the city’s fabric.

Finally, Bristol has been voted as the best place to live in the UK about a gazillion times (twice) by the Sunday Times. This honour doesn't compare to the Official recognition of awesomeness from the Institute of Super Awesome People, but still, it’s not to be sniffed at.

All this, despite the fact that the local dialect is amazingly fowl (that’s not misspelled). You walk into Bristol and you are hit by an agricultural lilt so powerful that it’s enough to make the top button of your dungarees pop out in surprised uneducated horror. You will never feel the true power of an “R” until you spend time in Bristol. However, this does not diminish its awesomeness, instead it multiplies it as there is nothing more awesome than overcoming a crippling disability in the pursuit of success. In city terms, a crippling disability is a pirate/farmer hybrid accent.

Bristol continues to awesomate (resonate with awesomeness) and will continue to sing this tune despite your misgivings and my paper thin arguments!

AWESOME LINKS
IOSAP Institute of Super Awesome People: http://www.iosap.org/
Bristol - The best place to live in the UK: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-named-best-city-Britain-Sunday-Times/story-20843128-detail/story.html

Posted by Great little place called Bristol On Monday, April 14, 2014 2 comments READ FULL POST

Wednesday 9 April 2014

A bagel is a bread product, traditionally shaped by hand into the form of a ring from yeasted wheat dough, roughly hand-sized, which is first boiled for a short time in water and then baked. The result is a dense, chewy, doughy interior with a browned and sometimes crisp exterior, often topped with seeds.

The bagel is becoming a popular bread product in the United Kingdom where the bagel is prepared in many different ways. The Bagel Boy in Bristol, located in 39-41 St Nicholas Street (BS1 1TP), is the place where I had the tastiest and most original bagels so far. A friend recommended it to me, who said they were the greatest bagels ever. First, I must say that I thought bagels, no matter how you put inside, would always just taste as bagels. However, my opinion completely changed after I gave the Bagel Boy a chance.

The outlet is bigger than I thought and there are many wooden tables in different sizes, perfect to have a quick lunch by yourself or to enjoy a nice dinner with a group of friends. I went at 1pm on a Friday and there were many tables free where I could choose from. However, when I left half an hour later, there were many people waiting for me to leave and take my table. A busy place must mean there is something really good going on there.

I took some time to go through the menu (here). They have loads of different bagels divided into three groups: Classics, Supremes and Patties. Prices vary from £4 to £6 per bagel. They also have sides such as fries, sweet potato wedges and chili beans (£2.50 each) and salads (£4.50). There are also very interesting deals: the lunch deal includes a classic bagel, a soft drink or coffee and a side for £5 (everyday from 11am to 3pm) and the whole kaboodle deal includes any bagel, a side and a Samuel Adams lager for £10 (everyday from 11am to 11pm) . And all ingredients come from local suppliers!

I ordered a Naughty Bagel which has chicken breast, bacon, cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce and some sweet potato wedges (£7.5). The waitress brought the lunch to my table within 10 minutes and a few minutes later I could realize why the place is always so busy: the ingredients are obviously good, they are very well cooked and the combination of flavours is amazing!

Overall, it is a very welcoming place in the city centre where you could celebrate your birthday in a very original manner, always with exceptional food. Very recommendable!


BAGEL BOY WEBSITE: http://www.bagelboy.co.uk/index.html
WIKIPEDIA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagel
Posted by Great little place called Bristol On Wednesday, April 09, 2014 No comments READ FULL POST

Monday 7 April 2014

Nowadays, in order to be able to see the lead singer in a live concert, people as short as me not only needs to avoid tall guys and people with big heads, but also silly people's smartphones that are recording something that will probably never be played due to its poor quality in both sound and image.

A friend of mine had a spare ticket to go to the O2 Academy last night and he asked me if I wanted to join him. Boyce Avenue was playing, a group I have never heard of. Immediately, I tried to catch up with the youngsters and fill the gap of my scarce modern music knowledge by turning Spotify on and listening all their songs. And I must admit that I liked their music.

Doors opened at 7pm although we personally arrived around 7.30pm. No queues to enter, no queues to order beers; everything was perfect. Even the place was as busy as I wanted; not too busy, not too quiet. By the time we found a good spot where no heads or smartphones where interfering my vision, Ebony Day started playing. She must be 20 years old now, and according to what I have read, she won the MTV Brand New title last year after triumphing in a public vote (read here). She played her own songs, some good covers and took pictures of the audience for her Instagram/Twitter account. She and her colleague Adam sounded very nice: powerful voice accompanied by a guitar.

Nick Howard came later, around 8pm, a singer and songwriter from Brighton, who by the way had won the second season of the German version of "The Voice". His music has been featured on TV series such as Pretty Little Liars, Jersey Shore and Cougar Town. His music, (I would say) more covered compared to Ebony Day thanks to the drums, fully conquered the audience. He also performed many covers as well as his own songs and joined Ebony Day in the social media fever by taking a "selfie" with the audience at the background.

The main focus was however on Boyce Avenue, the headline of the night, the Puerto Rican-American band composed by three brothers: Alejandro, Daniel and Fabian. The name of the band comes from the combination of two streets the brothers live on when they were young. 
They were the headline of the gig... and well deserved. I have to say that they sound live even better than how they sound on Youtube or Spotify. Very impressive. Again, a combination of songs of their own with widely known covers, engaging the audience who even shouted "I love you!" to the lead singer more than oncer.

Overall, I had a wonderful time at the O2 Academy last night. Three magnific music bands that left a good taste in my mouth and the desire to see them all again another time soon... as long as it's me the winner of the autographed cajón that Boyce Avenue was drawing. ;)
Posted by Great little place called Bristol On Monday, April 07, 2014 No comments READ FULL POST

Thursday 3 April 2014

Located at the corner of Cheltenham Road with Cheltenham Lane, Bica Bistro Café offers Brazilian-Portuguese cuisine in an excellent location. Nonetheless, I am confused with the name of the place. Bica is the term used in Madeira and Lisboa for coffee although the place does not look like a cafetería. Also, on Facebook, the page is called "Boca Bistro Café" which means something very different.

Anyway. A friend told us the Bacalhau Com Nata is really worth it. However that day, we were not lucky and, for some reason we couldn't be able to understand, the cod was not available. There was a promotion on tapas and we ordered 3 tapas to share as well as a main each. I chose Portuguese Style Feijoada (£9.95) and the rest of my friends ordered Chicken Chimichanga (£8.95) and Piri-Piri Chicken (£8.95). 

Over 45 minutes later, the food arrived. We had so many things to talk about that the wait didn't bother us much. However, the place was not busy enough to take 45 minutes to serve some tapas and 5 mains... 

First, we had the tapas to share, which are not in available to take-away: mushrooms with cheese (I loved them), tiny fried fish (I thought they were served with ali-oli sauce which was missing) and albóndigas in tomato sauce (slightly dry meatballs). 

Then, mains arrived. The appearance of my main and the Chicken Piri-piri was very similar. The pork of my dish (lower left) was nicely cooked and the sauce was very tasty. Sadly, it was accompanied with a scoop of overcooked rice. Funnily enough, a couple of minutes earlier, we had been talking about how difficult it would be to cook rice badly...
On the other side, my friends mentioned Chicken Chimichanga was a nice portion but it was too rich in spices and their mouths were on fire after having the huge burrito.

Overall, it was an OK 13-pound lunch. Long wait and average food. However, the place is in a very nice location and beautifully decorated.

FACEBOOKhttps://www.facebook.com/BocaBistroCafe
WEBSITE: http://bicabistrocafe.com/
Posted by Great little place called Bristol On Thursday, April 03, 2014 No comments READ FULL POST
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